SSE Enterprise Telecoms, a company operating a 20,000+km private telecoms network and an estate of 90 commercial data centers that span the UK, has unveiled its significant network expansion program. It is set to bring high capacity 100Gbps and 10Gbps services to businesses across the UK. It would also facilitate 5G rollouts and aid in the deployment of next-gen connectivity technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
The company plans to nearly double its number of unbundled BT Exchanges in just over a year. This would enable their customers to bring high capacity fiber services to the doorstep of approximately 80 per cent of UK business premises. These services will be available through SSE Enterprise Telecoms’ customer portal, LIVEQUOTE. It provides quoting, ordering and price comparison capabilities, via its own network and those of leading thirds parties, for business connectivity from 10Mbps to 100Gbps across the UK.
“By significantly investing in our network and unbundling these BT Exchanges we will help the UK achieve its digital ambition to become fully 5G ready,” said Sarah Mills, Sector Director for Network Operators, SSE Enterprise Telecoms. “The applications enabled by 5G technology, such as IIoT, are a core component of enabling Industry 4.0 and will pave the way for the successful future of our economy. By laying infrastructure today, we will ensure the futureproofing of our nation tomorrow. This next phase of our expansion has more aggressive scale and delivery timelines than ever before. Our vision to support UK innovation is anchored in 5G and edge computing, which supports some of the UK’s key digital strategic goals. And we’re just getting started.”
– story continues below the photo –
UK Fiber Network Deployments
As part of the accelerated expansion program, SSE Enterprise Telecoms is delivering connectivity to Three UK, with 198 exchanges already deployed, and another 259 which will be available soon. As well as working closely with Three UK, SSE Enterprise Telecoms have also worked with O2 on fiber deployments in the capital. Three UK is set to utilize the expanded exchange footprint to enhance its existing 4G and to create new 5G networks.
“Omdia knows that innovation between service providers and enterprises – as well as between enterprises – will be one of the keys to success with 5G and edge computing,” said David Molony, Principal Analyst, Omdia – a global technology research firm, established in 2019 with the combination of the Informa Tech’s research brands (Ovum, Heavy Reading, and Tractica) and the acquired IHS Markit technology research portfolio. “This expansion from SSE Enterprise Telecoms is a prime example of the kind of network needed for high capacity 5G infrastructure and goes some way to fuel the UK’s digital ambitions. This project also carries particular importance as the rest of the network industry consolidates and shares assets and potentially narrows the options for enterprise.”
SSE Enterprise Telecoms has maintained its delivery schedule throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. The delivery schedule has been maintained despite many enforced changes to processes and planning, such as restrictions on engineering visits and social distancing. In spite of the well documented challenges, SSE Enterprise Telecoms is still forecasting a delivery that is on schedule and on budget.
5G, Video Streaming, VR, AR
Upon completion SSE Enterprise Telecoms will have a high-capacity fiber network spanning over 30,000 km. It would be in prime position to facilitate the UK’s high-capacity digital first ambitions including the high-speed, performance and reach required for 5G networks. According to SSE Enterprise Telecoms, this will be key to enabling new technologies including the IIoT and autonomous vehicles. It would also open the door to new business technologies such as seamless, instant video streaming and immersive virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
“Our business is continuing to deliver significant network expansion, bringing high-capacity connectivity to business premises across the UK, as well as helping to facilitate 5G rollouts and futureproof the UK’s digital ambitions,” said Colin Sempill, Chief Executive Officer, SSE Enterprise Telecoms. “Complementing this rapid growth is our LIVEQUOTE portal, which now provides businesses with instant visibility of access tail services from leading service providers, enabling them to purchase the optimal solutions for their business needs. Over the next couple of years our ambition is to provide high capacity services from at least 750 unbundled BT Exchanges, offering a plethora of cost-effective connectivity solutions nationally.”
